Aunt Zhou paused her brush. "Yue Niang, ah," she said slowly, "she's certainly been quite lively lately." "Indeed," Ah Jin replied. "Your servant notices that Young Mistress finally seems to have snapped out of it..." Aunt Zhou smiled. "Has she..." she shook her head as she resumed copying the sutra, "snapped out of it? I think she has been frightened silent since the moment she entered this house—how could she ever have been awake?" Thinking of Young Mistress, Ah Jin was momentarily speechless. "I said long ago, children with her background are inherently rotten to the core.

Unless they undergo a complete marrow washing, they cannot be redeemed.

Yet the Old Madam insisted on ignoring this, utterly bewitched as everyone said, even going so far as to seek an imperial decree to cement the marriage.

I will certainly not let that slut have an easy time regarding Cheng Ge'er’s future marriage, but this oversteps too far.

We gain no benefit from this, no matter how much the slut suffers?" Aunt Zhou spoke slowly, feeling the composure she had cultivated for three years of copying scriptures suddenly shatter; her brush trembled as she set the ink down.

She uttered the term 'thief-woman' with casual ease, while Ah Jin’s expression remained placid, nodding slightly in agreement. "A beggar! A mere beggar! Without parents, kin, or support, all she did was deliver a fierce slap to that thief-woman, injuring her hand in the process, only to receive such rabid, vengeful retaliation after the woman died that it left us utterly unprepared and helpless to fight back.

If they had listened to me back then and chosen someone suitable for Cheng Ge'er, I wouldn't have ended up in this predicament..." Aunt Zhou let out a breath, putting down her brush, her expression etched with resentment. "Did that thief-woman send your New Year's gifts to the Zhou family this year? The Old Madam has only been gone three years, and she dares to act like this! My brother sends letters railing at me, but what can I do? Do I not wish to have the glory I once knew when the Old Madam was here?" Ah Jin poured a cup of tea and brought it over. "Aunt Mistress, your health," she urged quietly.

Aunt Zhou closed her eyes, gathering her emotions, took a sip of tea, and let out a slow exhale. "My health is fine.

Not only must I secure more affection from the Marquis than that thief-woman, but I have borne him sons and daughters—I must also outlive her.

I will certainly take good care of myself.

I must live to see her die first..." she said slowly, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Aunt Mistress, I feel that Young Mistress is different this time," Ah Jin paused, then ventured to speak. "Regardless, she was someone the Old Madam personally designated.

In this residence, she is someone you should be close to.

Furthermore, consider her position; have you forgotten that the Old Madam placed the house management tablet directly into her hands, intending to hand over everything completely three days after her marriage, with you assisting her? It was only because the Old Madam passed so suddenly, and Young Mistress wept so terribly that she became like that, refusing to listen to you, that Da Niang seized the opportunity to take over the management power..." Aunt Zhou’s hand clenched the teacup, and she released a heavy sigh. "Don't mention that matter.

What difference is there between it being in her hands and in the hands of a dead person?" she retorted. "But Young Mistress has done remarkably well this time," Ah Jin insisted. "Now, the entire household has seen her walk the path to the Yellow Springs and back, and it was the Old Madam herself who pushed her.

Since the Old Madam allowed her to return, she naturally intends for her to take charge of the affairs." Aunt Zhou turned the teacup in her hand, and listening to Ah Jin, a faint smile touched her lips. "Now that you mention it, it truly is so," she said, looking at Ah Jin. "This girl actually managed to pull off such a stunt.

It sounds absurd, but one cannot deny that the more absurd something is, the faster it spreads, and the deeper the impression it leaves..." "Exactly," Ah Jin laughed. "And she swiftly and decisively disciplined a maid and a few old women, startling Zhou Pozi and Su Pozi immensely.

Though they didn't voice it openly, they secretly searched the entire residence.

Does that sound like someone who is easily intimidated? In the end, if Young Mistress truly wanted to manage the house, it would be genuinely difficult for them." "It's been three years; it's too late," Aunt Zhou murmured faintly. "Aunt Mistress, it's not too late.

Three years have passed.

While the Old Madam’s people have been replaced, driven out, or brought under control, it has also allowed us to see clearly who is truly useful and who is merely a weathervane.

Now, those who still look to the Old Madam will be utterly devoted at Young Mistress’s slightest call." "Although that thief-woman has been married for eighteen years, she was kept suppressed by the Old Madam.

This period is only three years.

Even though she seemingly holds the great power of the Marquis's estate, she is like a transplanted tree with shallow roots.

If the wind blows too fiercely..." Aunt Zhou spoke slowly, her expression shifting. "Indeed.

So, what do you think? Should this servant perhaps pay a visit to Qiutong Courtyard? To gauge Young Mistress's mood," Ah Jin inquired.

Aunt Zhou paused for only a moment. "Better not, for now," she finally said, picking up her brush again. "We will observe.

You keep an eye on things over there, but do not act rashly.

We mustn't build the stage only to have the lead actress lose her voice; that would leave us exposed." That was true; considering Young Mistress’s usual temperament, that was indeed a real possibility.

Ah Jin sighed. "Your servant was too impatient," she admitted. "No rush.

Take it slowly.

We have waited this long; what is a day or two more?" Aunt Zhou said with a slight smile.

Ah Jin fell silent, quietly grinding the ink.

The fragrant smoke from the Buddha incense on the desk wafted through the room.

The June weather was stiflingly hot, especially when A'ru saw the charcoal fire burning in the courtyard; a sudden sweat broke out across her body.

A'ru, both excited and thrilled, took over the grilling duties from Qi Yue. "...If the open flame gets too big, pour a little water on it..." Qi Yue instructed from the chaise lounge nearby, fanning herself gently.

A'ru, hands clumsy but face beaming, arranged various foods on the wire rack.

Because her movements were unpracticed, she occasionally burned her fingers and instinctively brought them to her mouth to suck. "A'ru, mine is ready; come taste it." Qi Yue smiled, seeing A'ru, and called out, gesturing to the food laid out on the small stone table beside her. "...When it snowed in winter, the girls at home also did this..." A'ru said, walking a few steps with a smile, though back then, the kitchen maids did all the work; the young girls, especially servants like them, never touched the cooking implements. "We prefer eating this in the summer..." Qi Yue said casually, having rented a house near the hospital with a small open-air platform.

On nights when she wasn't on duty, her colleagues and friends often gathered there to eat, drink, and complain about heavy workloads, unruly patients, and office gossip...

A'ru, reaching to light the lanterns in the courtyard, paused momentarily. "Young Mistress, taste this one, will you?" A'hao shouted happily to Qi Yue, holding up a skewer of tofu.

Qi Yue leaned over and accepted it. "Hmm, no, Young Mistress, add a little salt...

the meat needs flipping...

a bit more..." A'hao hissed, sucking on her slightly burned finger, but she couldn't stop laughing. "This isn't about eating; it's just for fun," Qi Yue laughed, settling back onto the chaise lounge.

The night was hazy, dotted with sparse stars.

Such a night sky was rare in the city; it was only after arriving at Daqingshan that she had the fortune to see it often.

Yet, seeing the same starry sky again felt like traversing two different eras.

Qi Yue propped her head on her hands, gazing upward, wondering what her relatives were doing at this very moment—were they steeped in the sorrow of loss, or were they continuing their monotonous daily lives? Perhaps they were walking home, perhaps finishing a shift and starting rounds, or maybe they were meeting friends for a night out.

All that familiar world was now unrelated to her; she felt like an isolated spectator before a vast cinema screen, watching the bustling vibrancy she could no longer touch.

A'ru withdrew her gaze and continued lighting the courtyard lanterns one by one.

A sudden knock on the door broke A'hao’s laughter and pulled Qi Yue from her distant contemplation.

Qiutong Courtyard rarely received visitors, though recently, because Qi Yue and A'hao loved experimenting with food, a few low-ranking, rough-service maids had been drawn to the entrance by the smells. "A'hao, A'hao," a crisp female voice called from outside. "It's Caijuan," A'ru recognized the voice, sounding surprised. "Who is Caijuan?" Qi Yue asked casually.

Before A'hao could answer, someone outside replied for her. "I am Caijuan from the Third Young Master's courtyard," the voice said, rapping lightly on the door again.

The Dingxi Marquis had four sons; Qi Yue nodded and returned to lying down, fanning herself while watching the stars. "Caijuan, you’ve arrived?" A'ru went to open the door.

Qi Yue glanced sideways and saw a girl about A'hao's build standing at the threshold, but not stepping inside. "Still awake? Drawn over by the aroma, I suppose..." Caijuan said with a smile, then stopped abruptly, noticing Qi Yue sitting in the courtyard.

In the combined light of the lamps and stars, she saw the woman’s posture was languid; if she weren't waving a small fan, Caijuan might have thought she was asleep. "Young Mistress..." she called out, bending low in a bow.

Qi Yue didn't move, smiling at her while fanning herself. "Are you here to sample A'hao's cooking skills?" she asked with a smile. "A'hao’s skills are quite famous now," Caijuan chimed in merrily.

A'hao, who had just picked up two skewers of meat, smiled proudly. "It was Young Mistress who taught us..." she began to say.

A'ru coughed pointedly. "Here, take this one," A'hao quickly swallowed her unfinished words and, to cover the moment, walked over and handed Caijuan the skewers of meat.

Caijuan smiled and accepted them. "Then I won't be polite; I came specifically for this.

I was just passing by, smelled the fragrance, and couldn't move on," she chuckled, bowing again to Qi Yue. "Young Mistress, please don't laugh at my greed." "To be able to eat and enjoy it is the greatest fortune," Qi Yue smiled, sitting up. "A'ru, take these eggplant, garlic, and chicken wings for her to try as well." "Truly, thank you, Young Mistress," Caijuan said with a grateful bow. "You are lucky; this is what our Young Mistress personally grilled..." A'hao said reluctantly, but A'ru interrupted her before she could finish. "The Young Mistress has commanded a reward; stop being lazy, and just grill a few more for her," A'ru said with a smile.

A'hao mumbled an embarrassed agreement.

Caijuan said nothing more, accepted the handful of skewers A'ru offered, thanked them again, and turned to leave.

She walked quickly with light, small steps to a large tree not far away.

As she approached, she saw a figure standing in the shadow of the tree. "Young Master," Caijuan called softly.

Chang Yunqi stood in the shade, his gaze still fixed on Qiutong Courtyard.

The gate was closing, obscuring the silhouette of the woman, who now seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

To the many new readers joining from elsewhere, thank you.

Xi Xing knows she is often lacking and flawed, but please bear with me; I am constantly striving to write stories that you will find comfortable and enjoyable to read.

^__^, thank you all for your tips and votes.

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